My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children

cake is so pretty,

hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into

box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats

which happened to be a little girl

sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

Rachel must close her eyes

must blow out the

shook her head to indicate to Julian that there was no

and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very

found a little girl who wasn’t even at table

of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake

to say thank you!” their

the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers

the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank

important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about

might as well pretend it never existed for now.

and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep

and headed

her apartment and about to close the

the door was propped open by a large hand

up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all

he out on business?

slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying the

been getting along fine without

she took two steps back. Why are you

her resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his

sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me

approached her, forcing

idea what she did

staggered after him and was dragged